Martin’s parents were named?Martin’s parents were named?

Adolf and FriedaRolf and Frederica Joseph and MarieHans and Margarethe

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Martin’s parents were named?Martin’s parents were named?

Adolf and FriedaRolf and Frederica Joseph and MarieHans and Margarethe √

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Hans and Margarethe originally lived in Möhra, now in central Germany.

Martin’s parents

Satellite view of MöhraSatellite view of Möhra

Möhra, Germany, the Luther ancestral home

At Erfurt University Martin signed his name “Martinus Ludher ex Mansfeld.”

At Wittenberg in 1517 he signed his name Martinus Luder.

Luder not Luther?

In 1517 (the year he posted the 95 Theses) Martin changed his family name from Luder to Luther.

Why?

The Luther name

Luder had negative meanings in German: hussy or devil.

Luther is based on the Greek “eleutheros” (“free”), a sign of his new-found understanding of God’s grace.

The Luther name

Martin was born Martin was born November 10, 1483 in... November 10, 1483 in...

Fürth, BavariaEisleben, Thuringia  Tecklenburg, WestphaliaPilsen, Bohemia

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Martin was born Martin was born November 10, 1483 in... November 10, 1483 in...

Fürth, BavariaEisleben, Thuringia  Tecklenburg, WestphaliaPilsen, Bohemia

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Eisleben town squareEisleben town square

House (restored) in Eisleben where Martin was born

House (restored) in Eisleben where Martin was born

St. Martin of WattenbürgSt. Martin the Pius  St. Martin of ToursSt. Martin of Bratislava

Martin was baptized November 11, Martin was baptized November 11, the feast day of what saint, after the feast day of what saint, after whom he was named?whom he was named?

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St. Martin of WattenbürgSt. Martin the Pius  St. Martin of ToursSt. Martin of Bratislava

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Martin was baptized November 11, Martin was baptized November 11, the feast day of what saint, after the feast day of what saint, after whom he was named?whom he was named?

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Martin was baptized at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul near his

birthplace

Martin was baptized at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul near his

birthplace

Martin had a hard youth, without happy memories, and was brought up under stern discipline.

Hans, Margarethe and Martin

As a child, the name Christ made young Martin cringe:

“From early childhood I turned pale and trembled whenever I heard the name of Christ, for I was taught to look upon him as a stern and wrathful judge.”

Not a Loving God

Martin was six months old the family to moved to Mansfeld. Hans hoped to make a living in the copper mines.

Luder/Luther home in MansfeldLuder/Luther home in Mansfeld

1491 (age 7)-1501 (age 17) Hans Luther did whatever was necessary to have Martin become a lawyer and sent him to Latin schools in Mansfeld, Magdeburg and Eisenach.

Elementary School Days

Entrance to Eisenach’s Old TownEntrance to Eisenach’s Old Town

1498 to 1501 Half-timber house in Eisenach once owned by the Cotta family where Luther lived.

Martin Luther called Eisenach "my beloved city.” He developed a love for music and art, and he learned to play the lute.

1501-1505 Attended Erfurt University; 1505 entered law school in accordance with his

father’s wishes.

According to legend, Luther According to legend, Luther vowed to become a monk when vowed to become a monk when he nearly died…he nearly died…

after a severe beating by thievesafter a severe beating by thieves

of bubonic plagueof bubonic plague

during a violent lightning stormduring a violent lightning storm  

when he lost control of his horsewhen he lost control of his horse

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after a severe beating by thievesafter a severe beating by thieves

of bubonic plagueof bubonic plague

during a violent lightning stormduring a violent lightning storm  

when he lost control of his horsewhen he lost control of his horse

According to legend, Luther According to legend, Luther vowed to become a monk when vowed to become a monk when he nearly died…he nearly died…

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July 2, 1505 (age 21) While returning to Erfurt University after visiting his parents in Mansfeld…

Near-Death Experience

Martin was nearly struck by lightning. Afraid he was going to die, he called out, “Save me, St. Anne and I will become a monk!”

Martin was nearly struck by lightning. Afraid he was going to die, he called out, “Save me, St. Anne and I will become a monk!”

The Tortured Soul

July 17, 1505 Martin entered the Augustinian

Monastery in Erfurt

July 17, 1505 Martin entered the Augustinian

Monastery in Erfurt

1506 (age 23) The decision to enter the monastery was a difficult one. Martin knew that he would disappoint his parents, but he also knew that he must keep a promise to God.

Monkery

Martin’s only goal as a monk was to earn his way into heaven.

“I kept the rule of my order so strictly … if ever a monk got to heaven by his monkery, it was I.”

“I kept the rule of my order so strictly … if ever a monk got to heaven by his monkery, it was I.”

Luther fasted and beat himself. He confessed and sought forgiveness for the slightest error.

Luther fasted and beat himself. He confessed and sought forgiveness for the slightest error.

April 4, 1507 (age 23) Martin

ordained priest in Erfurt's

Mariendom (St. Mary’s Church).

Luther the Priest

LeipzigLeipzigHeidelburgHeidelburgMarburgMarburgWittenbergWittenberg

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1511 (age 27)1511 (age 27) After a long After a long journey to Rome Martin was journey to Rome Martin was assigned to the post of biblical assigned to the post of biblical lecturer at the university in…lecturer at the university in…

LeipzigLeipzigHeidelburgHeidelburgMarburgMarburgWittenbergWittenberg√

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1511 (age 27)1511 (age 27) After a long After a long journey to Rome Martin was journey to Rome Martin was assigned to the post of biblical assigned to the post of biblical lecturer at the university in…lecturer at the university in…

Modern Wittenberg on the Elbe River

In Martin’s time, a mile long, with a population of about 2,000.

Today, Lutherstadt Wittenberg has population of some 50,000

Described as “a poor, insignificant town, with little, old, ugly wooden houses” Its inhabitants were “beyond measure drunken, rude and given to reveling.”

Aerial view of Lutherstadt Wittenberg, with the Castle Church in the foreground

Aerial view of Lutherstadt Wittenberg, with the Castle Church in the foreground

Wittenberg's Marketplatz and towers of the 14th century Stadtkirche.

Wittenberg from the Castle Church

All Saints’ Church - the Schlosskirche (“castle

church”). Built in 1509.

All Saints’ Church - the Schlosskirche (“castle

church”). Built in 1509.

Wittenberg University opened October 18, 1502; called Leucorea, Greek translation of Wittenberg (leukos white; oros mountain).

1509 (age 25) Martin earned Bachelor’s degree in theology.

Martin’s handwritten margin notes on his theology textbook

October 1512 (age 28) Luther received Doctorate in Theology. Began series of biblical lectures which forever changed his thinking.

Herr Doktor Luther

1513-1519? A major turning-point in his life took place in his study in the tower of Augustinian monastery…

While preparing a lecture on Romans…

Romans 1:17 caught his eye…

“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith … as it is written [Habakkuk 2:4], ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”

Romans 1:17 caught his eye…

“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith … as it is written [Habakkuk 2:4], ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”

A Light in the Darkness

Reading further, he came to Romans 3:22: “...This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

Reading further, he came to Romans 3:22: “...This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

A Light in the Darkness

Martin read that passage many times while preparing lectures.

But at that moment a light went on. He saw that all he did to earn salvation meant nothing.

Martin read that passage many times while preparing lectures.

But at that moment a light went on. He saw that all he did to earn salvation meant nothing.

A Light in the Darkness

A Light in the Darkness

A Light in the Darkness

A Light in the Darkness

The Light Dims

Martin wanted to tell others about this

rediscovered truth.

The church taught that souls could be released from purgatory (a place between heaven and hell) by purchasing certificates called indulgences.

The church taught that souls could be released from purgatory (a place between heaven and hell) by purchasing certificates called indulgences.

The money from indulgence sales was actually used to build St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and to pay off the debts owed by Archbishop Albrecht of Mainz.

The money from indulgence sales was actually used to build St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and to pay off the debts owed by Archbishop Albrecht of Mainz.

Dominican Monk Johannes Tetzel sold indulgences to gullible Germans using a catchy slogan: “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.”

Souls for Sale

Translation of indulgence sold by Tetzel: "By the authority of all the saints, and in mercy towards you, I absolve you from all sins and misdeeds and remit all punishments for ten days."

Indulgences violated Martin’s new-found insight that sinners were saved by faith.

Indulgences violated Martin’s new-found insight that sinners were saved by faith.

Faith, Not Indulgences

October 31, 1517 MartinMartin nailed his 95 Theses to…

Quiz: Test your knowledge

the side of the Emperor’s carriage at the side of the Emperor’s carriage at RegensburgRegensburg

the door of the Castle Church at Wittenbergthe door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg

  the wall of the Imperial Palace at Praguethe wall of the Imperial Palace at Prague

the notice board at the University of the notice board at the University of HeidelbergHeidelberg

the side of the Emperor’s carriage at the side of the Emperor’s carriage at RegensburgRegensburg

the door of the Castle Church at Wittenbergthe door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg

  the wall of the Imperial Palace at Praguethe wall of the Imperial Palace at Prague

the notice board at the University of the notice board at the University of HeidelbergHeidelberg

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Quiz: Test your knowledge

October 31, 1517 MartinMartin nailed his 95 Theses to…

The Castle Church

Original wooden doors where Martin posted his theses were destroyed

in 1760.

Original wooden doors where Martin posted his theses were destroyed

in 1760.

The Theses Doors

To commemorate the 375th anniversary of Martin’s birth, they were replaced with bronze doors with the Latin text of the 95 Theses.

To commemorate the 375th anniversary of Martin’s birth, they were replaced with bronze doors with the Latin text of the 95 Theses.

The Theses Doors

“Indulgence preachers are in error who say that a man is absolved from every penalty and saved by papal indulgences.”

Theses 21Theses 21

“There is no divine authority for preaching that the soul flies out of purgatory immediately after the money clinks in the bottom of the chest.”

Theses 27Theses 27

“Those who believe that they can be certain of their salvation because they have indulgence letters will be eternally damned, together with their teachers.”

Theses 32Theses 32

Luther only wanted to debate others on indulgences and papal abuses. But printers translated the theses into German and published them.

On Angels Wings

In two weeks they spread throughoutGermany.

On Angels Wings

Thousands had waited

for such a protest,

thrilled at having

found a voice.

Wings of Angels

“It is gratifying … that the poor people who were searching for indulgences have been warned of the chicanery of Tetzel and that the [95 Theses] by the Augustinian monk of Wittenberg have been posted in many places and have caused a great disruption for indulgences.”

“It is gratifying … that the poor people who were searching for indulgences have been warned of the chicanery of Tetzel and that the [95 Theses] by the Augustinian monk of Wittenberg have been posted in many places and have caused a great disruption for indulgences.”

It was one of the first events in history affected by a new technology: the printing press with moveable type, invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1439.

It was one of the first events in history affected by a new technology: the printing press with moveable type, invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1439.

On Angel’s Wings

Working Gutenberg press replica at Houston’s Museum of Printing HistoryWorking Gutenberg press replica at

Houston’s Museum of Printing History

Luther was summoned to explain his views at a meeting or “Diet” of the Holy Roman Empire at what city on the Rhine River?

SpeyerSpeyerBerlin Berlin WormsWormsFrankfurtFrankfurt

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SpeyerSpeyerBerlin Berlin WormsWormsFrankfurtFrankfurt

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Luther was summoned to explain his views at a meeting or “Diet” of the Holy Roman Empire at what city on the Rhine River?

At the Diet of Worms Martin was told to admit he was wrong for criticizing the papacy and the sale of indulgences.

At the Diet of Worms Martin was told to admit he was wrong for criticizing the papacy and the sale of indulgences.

“Unless I am convinced from Scriptures that I am in error, I cannot and I will not admit that I was wrong.”

“Unless I am convinced from Scriptures that I am in error, I cannot and I will not admit that I was wrong.”

“Kidnapped”

While returning home from Worms Luther was “kidnapped” and taken to Wartburg castle overlooking Eisenach. Many believed he had been killed.

My Patmos

Martin hid 11 months at Wartburg Castle. He called it “my Patmos.”

Martin hid 11 months at Wartburg Castle. He called it “my Patmos.”

Luther assumed the identity Junker Jörg (Knight George). “…I am letting my hair and beard grow. You would be hard put to recognize me ... I live in Christian liberty, free from all the laws of that tyrant…”

Junker Jörg

My Patmos

Martin was provided a room to continue his studies and writing.

Luther wrote over 40 letters to friends, colleagues and others.Luther wrote over 40 letters to friends, colleagues and others.

Luther believed that people came to faith by reading and understanding the Bible.

Luther believed that people came to faith by reading and understanding the Bible.

At Wartburg Martin completed a first draft of his German New Testament so that all could read the word of God for themselves.

Martin translated the New Testament from the original Greek rather than

Jerome’s Latin Vulgate.

Martin translated the New Testament from the original Greek rather than

Jerome’s Latin Vulgate.

June 13, 1525 Luther married former nun Katharina von Bora. Together they raised six children.

Martin and Katie

Luther called Katharina the “morning star of Wittenberg.” She rose at 4 a.m. to manage their home. She bred and sold cattle and ran a brewery to provide for their family, the students who boarded with them and visitors seeking audiences with Luther.

The Morning Star

“A person who does not

regard music as a

marvelous creation of God,

must be a clodhopper and

does not deserve to be

called a human being; he

should be permitted to

only hear the braying of

asses and the grunting of

hogs.”

1527 Luther wrote “Ein Feste Berg ist Unser Gott” (“A Mighty Fortress is our God”), based on Psalm 46 Handwritten manuscript signed ‘Martinus Luther.’

1529 Ein Feste Berg ist Unser Gott” (“A Mighty Fortress is Our God”) published.

1520 1525 1529

1533 1540 1546 (death)